Friday, 1 November 2024

Bulls head bob Nov 2024. Christmas Gifts for The Digital Age. Tascam Pocket 6 track Recorder. Yamaha TransAcoustic Guitar. Starter Digital Drum Kit. Bobs Free Gifts!!

Hello Mates across the world and especially you Brummies and Brumbeat Musicians of the 60's. 

In the early 60's we didn't know what the word digital meant, we weren't stupid, it was simply a case of technology yet to arrive on the planet.  For prospective musicians everything was harder to achieve, there weren't even practical instruction books, we had to be inventive to master our instruments.  How things have changed in this Digital Age with miniaturisation of electrical components, computers and fabulous access to instruction via YouTube where you can learn and copy everything.

So for you musicians I have some prospective musical gifts you might want tucked under the tree.  So here we go.

Are you a frustrated song writer without the space to have a studio where you can have your recorder ready for action, microphone on the stand, just needing to be switched on for you to get your classic song laid down before you forget the lyrics or guitar/ keyboard parts?  

You might have an audio interface connected to a computer but you still need to wait for your computer to warm up and then get the interface connected to your pro tools or whatever recording software you use.   It all takes valuable time while your inspiration is rapidly evacuating from your brain.  In my case, a couple of minutes is all it takes and my brain is as empty as a Scotsmans wallet.

Well my friends, Bull Head Bob to the rescue with a fabulous piece of kit, that I have recently purchased, the wonderful.

TASCAM DPOO6


This 6 track Pocket Studio digital recorder is just marvellous for capturing those moments of inspiration.   It can be powered by batteries or mains so you can have it by your side anywhere, even in the bath and we all know what great natural reverb there is in bathrooms.  Just for some people who might take everything literally, this recorder doesn't float!!  
You don't even have to plug in a microphone either because it has 2 built-in condenser microphones.  
.

The microphones can be seen on the right and left of the device to give a stereo signal, 2 part Harmonies or a stereo acoustic guitar backing can be performed in this manner using just one recording track.  All tracks have a pan control to help build the soundscape and tracks can be bounced. There are 2 Jack plug inputs which can be switched from vocals with a stand alone mic to direct input with a guitar.   All recordings are stored onto a digital memory card and there is also a USB port.   On the underside of the recorder is a screw connector which screws onto a normal camera tripod so you can tilt the screen to monitor your recording levels if in a seated position.


Tascam have thought of everything to make the recording process as easy as pie.   All this for the Tiny price of around £140.00.     The only thing it doesn't have is an effects card but does have an effects send output to connect to any effects pedal or rack.   As a solo performer it is perfect for recording and playing backing tracks to accompany you for your next performance.  Check out the Tascam website for more comprehensive information.  Highly recommended.

YAMAHA TAG3
Yamaha guitars are musicians favourites world wide and their TransAcoustic guitars are absolutely perfect for solo performers because not only do you get to play a magnificent hand built acoustic but one that is fully loaded with a comprehensive in-built effects package of reverb and delay etc adding a beautiful soundscape for your audiences to enjoy.  Like the Tascam, this guitar gives you all those sounds without having to hump around a ton of gear.  It also has a touch control Looper

There are effect controls on the side of the body and, as shown
next to the sound hole, a ring that is the touch control.  There are some nice YouTube clips of the guitar being demo'd where you can see and hear this guitar being played with all its possibilities.

Warning! This guitar is expensive retailing at £1,600.00 so it is not in everyone's price range as a Christmas gift but I'm sure that some of my readers hold down well paid jobs and I like to appeal to  broad spectrum of readers world wide.   I'm a poor muso so it's out of my price range however if any of the blog readers wants to get me one? Lol.

MILLENIUM DIGITAL DRUM KIT
Got a kid/ husband/wife who wants to be a drummer but you don't have a sound proofed shed to lock him/her in to protect your sanity and peace and quiet.    For the sum of £160 -ish you can buy from Thomann, a digital drum kit.


And for a few quid more get a pair of headphones to plug into
the control panel for the next Dave Grohl to practice with.  The panel has timing rythmn pre-sets to follow and USB inputs to upload music to play along with.

It's a starter model but good enough for someone to discover if they've got what it takes to play drums or not.  It doesn't take up too much bedroom space and can be packed away.  
Pretty good Christmas Gift.

BOBS FREE GIFT TO MY READERS
TUNING UP TO NATURE
Now then my friends, here's something for musos that is free.  I Can almost see your ears pricking up at the mention of "Free".
My Christmas gifts to you guys are Two free natural events to help you tune your guitar to, one for daytime and the other for the nights.

Gift 1.  Daytime tuning.   If like me you live in a countryside environment.  All you need to do is step outside and wait till you hear a cuckoo with its familiar song.  The cuckoo sings its call in the Key of "D".

Gift 2.  Night time tuning.    Cuckoos are fast asleep after the sun has gone down so, what can you do to get in tune?   Easy, open your ears and wait for the hoot of an owl because Owls hoot in the key of B flat.

FINALLY  
Wishing Hank Marvin a wonderful 83rd Birthday.

Mrs Bob told me that Ken Dodd would have been outraged to discover that one of his Diddy Men has found himself in court on outrageous charges! 

So that's your lot for today, enjoy November choosing gifts for your loved ones but most importantly.  Love the one you're with.

Hoping for some world peace.

Bob
Copyright: Bullsheadbob 
Contact: Bobsbullocks@Gmail.com 

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